Portable x-ray radiation shielding device

ABSTRACT

A shielded x-ray adapting device for a portable x-ray apparatus comprising a collimator and a thereon rotationally and pivotally mounted container. The container has an upper part and hingedly attached edge overlapping bottom part which in a closed condition with one another provide two opposed apertures conforming with the periphery of an object so that a portion of the object to be xrayed can be completely enclosed. The bottom part has opposed slots for feeding x-ray film underneath the enclosed portion of the object. In addition, a definite closure switch and safety warning means is incorporated for insuring the complete enclosure of the portion of the object during the x-ray radiation operation.

United States Patent 1 Applegate [54] PORTABLE X-RAY RADIATION SHIELDINGDEVICE [76] Inventor: Robert L. Applegate, 13649 17th Avenue, S. W.,Seattle, Wash.

[22] Filed: Mar. 3, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 120,591

[52] U.S. Cl ..250/65 R, 250/51, 250/105, 250/108 R [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b41/16 [58] Field of Search ..250/51, 52, 65 R, 250/105, 108 R [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,600,867 9/1926 Coolidge..250/105 X 2,456,816 12/1948 Daly ..250/52 2,687,477 8/1954 Pfaff..250/52 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain ..250/105 51 june5,1973

Primary Examiner-William F. Lindquist Attorney-Nicolaas De Vogel [57]ABSTRACT A shielded x-ray adapting device for a portable x-ray apparatuscomprising a collimator and a thereon rotationally and pivotally mountedcontainer.

The container has an upper part and hingedly attached edge overlappingbottom part which in a closed condition with one another provide twoopposed apertures conforming with the periphery of an object so that aportion of the object to be x-rayed can be completely enclosed. Thebottom part has opposed slots for feeding x-ray film underneath theenclosed portion of the object. In addition, a definite closure switchand safety warning means is incorporated for insuring the completeenclosure of the portion of the object during the x-ray radiationoperation.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJU" 51m 3.737.661

SHEET 1 BF 2 INVE'NTOR ROBERT L.APP LEGATE BY AGEN PORTABLE X-RAYRADIATION SI'IIELDING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates to an adapter for a portable x-rayapparatus and more particularly to a shielded and fully adjustable x-rayadapter for completely enclosing a portion of installed objects to bex-rayed.

2. Description of the Prior Art X-ray inspection devices are well knownin the industry; in particular where high quality control andnondestructive testing and examining of manufactured objects areconcerned.

For instance, the U. S. Pat. No. 3,454,762 by Vollmer shows a typicalset-up for x-ray viewing of electronic components; however, the x-rayradiation operation takes place in a separate lead-insulated room,because, as well known, the x-rays are very detrimental to the livingcells and tissues of human beings.

Portable x-ray apparatus are therefore used with utmost safetyprecautions, and shielding devices are used to keep leaking of primaryand secondary radiations to an absolute minimum. A typical example isthe apparatus shown in U. S. Pat. No. 2,360,036 by Boucher, U. S. Pat.No. 2,436,279 by Wilson, and U. S. Pat. No. 3,508,059 by Vanderpool.However, it will be noted that these devices are specifically designedto emit xrays in a certain direction and that shielding is providedparallel or about the x-rays. Furthermore, it will be noted that thesedevices are not preventing secondary x-ray leakage so that the use ofthe devices is limited to operations during times that people are notaround.

The same problem arose when x-rays were made of welded hydraulic tubejoints, installed in-place within the Boeing airplane 747 structure. Inorder to inspect a tube joint by portable x-ray apparatus, the entireaircraft and immediate surroundings were completely evacuated. Ropebarriers had to be set up and surveillance was maintained to preventworkers from entering the critical area of 2 mr/hr (milli-roentgens perhour) that was measured at the barriers 25 to 50 yards from theoperating x-ray tube. The 2 mr/hr is the safety limit or maximum allowedradiation per health protection safety standards for non-occupationalpersonnel. Obviously, with this method of inspection and safetyprecautions, it was impossible to keep up with the production. Tubewelds were being made at the rate of seven to per day. To set up andx-ray each tube weld, it required an average of 25 minutes per weldjoint.

The present invention solved the above problem and provided for such anabsolute shielding that manufacturing personnel were allowed to continuetheir work in and outside the aircraft structure while the radiographicx-ray exposures were being made.

In one month, 400 x-ray radiations were made of tube welds and less than2 mr/hr was measured at a distance of 3 feet from the x-ray operation,and each operation lasted less than 5 minutes, which includes the setupand exposure time of the x-ray film. Briefly, the shielded x-rayadapting device offers a minimum of radiation leakage and allowsradiographic inspection of portions of objects installed in largestructures by portable x-ray apparatus, without disturbing andinterrupting environmental non-related activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The shielding apparatus is designed and builtto safely usex-ray generating equipment in the fieldand factory areas,within the Radiation Health-Protection Requirements of less than 2milli-Roentgens in any given hour to non-radiation personnel. Theadapter is like an arm of a polyp and can reach in hard-to-reach placeswith its container acting as a tentacle, thus completely surrounding andenclosing a tube joint. The x-ray tube emission head is surrounded andenclosed by a collar and tube internally covered with a blanket of leador any similar type of x-ray radiation shielding material. The tube isdisposed parallel about the emitted radiographic rays and acts as acollimator. At the end of the collimator is a rotationally and pivotallymounted container. The container has a longitudinal shape and isdisposed in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to thecollimator. The container has an upper part which is pivotally engagedwith the collimator and a bottom part which is hingedly attached to theupper part. When both parts are closed together, their overlapping edgesprovide for a seal or leak-proof engagement, and in this closedcondition, two apertures are caused which are oppositely located. Theapertures are circular and supplement the tube periphery. The bottompart has a slit on opposite sides, and lead lined strip film material isthus fed into the closed container underneath the enclosed tube portion.

Since the meeting edges of the upper and bottom parts of the containeroverlap and the collimator is provided with a shielding collaroverlapping the insert pivotal connected arrangement, leakage of primaryradiation is impossible and leakage of secondary radiation is kept to aminimum.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for ashielded adjustable adapter for portable x-ray apparatus with means ofcompletely enclosing a portion of a longitudinally installed object tobe x-rayed with a minimum of secondary radiation leakage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for a shieldedx-ray adapting device which encloses completely a tube weld to bex-rayed, and which device is completely adjustable, allowing the x-raybeam to pass through the subject at an angle that permits adequate imageprojection on the x-ray film so that utilization in hard-to-reach areasis feasible.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for aportable x-ray apparatus with an adapter as mentioned, and with insertmeans that complement closure of cross-sectional peripheries smallerthan the aperture periphery of the enclosure means.

These, and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention, andthe manner in which the same are accomplished will become readilyapparent from the detailed description of the device taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferredembodiment of the invention.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a copy of an actual photograph showing a portablex-ray apparatus and thereon mounted shielding device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shielding container in an opencondition;

FIG. 3 is a sectional front view of the container;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the container;

FIG. 5 is a typical configuration of an insert means which enablesradiography of smaller diameter tube joints.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, theperspective view in FIG. 2 illustrates most of the details of theshielding device which comprises a tubular housing or collimator 12including a pivotally connected container 14.

The upper or first end portion 16 of the collimator 12 is mounted aboutthe x-ray tube of the portable x-ray apparatus 18. This mounting iscompletely leak-proof and preferably in connection with a collar orbearing construction so that rotation about the collimator 12longitudinal axis is possible. The lower or second end portion 20 of thecollimator 12 is pivotally mounted within the container 14 by pivotmeans 22. The pivot- I ally mounted arrangement of the container 14 withthe collimator l2 enables variation of the position of the container 14with respect to the collimator axis. For instance, in FIG. 3 the dashedoutline shows the varied angle of the collimator to the object, which isa tube joint 24 in the present illustrated application, to beitradiographed. Thus, in reality the operator pivots the collimator 12with respect to the container 14 that is clamped about the tube joint 24and exposes a film at, for instance, a angle from the collimator axisand thereafter one coincident with the axis. Of course, a variety ofx-ray pictures at various angles can be made, all depending on therequirements.

Referring further to FIG. 2, the container 14 has an upper part 30 and abottom part 32 which are hingedly attached by a piano-type hinge 34. Theupper part is further equipped with a pair of closing bolts 36 and amicro-switch means 38 which has an accurate setting for assuring theappropriate closing torque on the bolts 36. As shown, the inner liningof the container and the collimator is made of a radiation shieldingmaterial such as lead 40, etc., and is arranged in a step-type fashionat the closing edges 42 and 44 of the upper 30 and bottom part 32,respectively, so that x-ray leakage is prevented when the container 14is properly closed and the edges 42 and 44 are abutting with oneanother. The collimator portion that is enclosed inside of the upperpart 30 has a pair of slots 46 with an end radius which complements partof the tube joint 24 circumference.

Since the slots 46 may cause a small amount of leakage towards theopening 50 which allows the entering of the collimator 12, a pair oflead-lined flanges 52 are mounted to the portion 20 which extend almostperpendicularly from the collimator 12, as shown in FIG. 3.

The bottom part 32 is provided with a lead contoured liner 54 thatpartly envelopes the tube joint 24 and a pair of oppositely locatedslots 56 in the fore and aft side respectively for passing through of afilm strip 60.

These film strips 60 contain a leaded material, and in addition theslots 56 are in a downward and inward direction, as shown in FIG. 4, sothat any type of primary or secondary radiation leakage is substantiallyreduced.

In order that various diameters of tube joints can be x-rayed, an insertmeans 70 comprising a male 72 and a female member 74 that fit closelyinside of each container part 30 and 32 has been designed as shown inFIG. 5; however, various other methods can be used, such as wrapping thetube with lead until the hole diameters of the container 14 is reached,or by using a onepiece insert having a U shape slot at each side endwhich fit closely about the smaller tube joint to be xradiographed.

In order to xray in hard-to-reach places, the collimator may have atelescoping arrangement 80, as shown in FIG. 1, and may also be providedwith various pivotal or angular bending arrangements not shown herein.

Having thus described the operation and details of the presentinvention, it should be understood that various modifications andalterations to the preferred illustrated embodiment may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

Now, therefore, I claim:

1. A shielded x-ray adapting device for portable x-ray apparatus,comprising:

a. a collimator made of a x-ray radiation absorbent material forproviding external x-ray shielding, having a first and a second endportion and mounted by said first end portion about said x-ray apparatusoutput tube;

b. a container, made of a x-ray radiation absorbent material forproviding external x-ray shielding, pivotally mounted, in overlappingfashion, about said second end portion;

. said container provided with an upper part and a hingedly connectedbottom part;

said upper part and said bottom part each provided with a substantiallyvertically disposed left and right side, and each side provided. with aconcave edge portion and whereby said concave edge portions of saidupper and said bottom parts align with one another when said containeris in a closed condition so that said aligned concave edge portions format said container left and right an aperture complementing an associatedto be x-rayed object periphery, and

e. said bottom part having a fore and aft side each provided with a slotfor feeding through an associated x-ray film underneath said object.

2. A shielded x-ray adapting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidcollimator second end is provided with a flange projecting in said upperpart of said container in a direction substantially perpendicular tosaid collimator axis so that associated x-rays are prevented exitthrough said second end pivotally mounted connection with saidcontainer.

3. A shielded x-ray adapting device as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidupper part and said bottom part adjacent located edges are of acomplementary step-in configuration so that x-ray radiation is preventedbetween said upper and said bottom part of said container when in saidclosed condition. I

4. A shielded x-ray adapting device as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidbottom part fore and aft side slots are each cross-sectionally slanteddownwards to said container inside.

5. A shielded x-ray adapting device as claimed in claim 4 having lockingmeans mounted between said upper and said bottom part of said containerand electrical switching means for assuring completely locked enclosureof said associated object so that said switching means upon saidcompletely locked enclosure allows associated input power sourceconnection to the x-ray tube.

6. A portable x-ray apparatus shielded adapting device for encapsulatedx-radiography of tube joints or the like permitting operation in closeproximity of the operator, comprising;

a. a collimator, constructed of x-ray shielding material, having a firstand second end and mounted with said first end about said x-ray tube ina radiation shielding relationship;

b. said second end having an integrally connected c. a container,constructed of x-ray shielding material, pivotally mounted about saidsecond end and flange for assuring a movable and radiation shieldingrelationship;

d. said container having a substantially rectangular configurationdisposed perpendicularly to said collimator and provided with an upperpart and a hingedly attached bottom part each having a right and leftside and a fore and an aft side, said right side and said left side ofsaid upper and said bottom part provided with a half circle shapedconcave edge portion located in opposed alignment with one another sothat said container left and right side is provided with a circular holewhen in closed condition for completely enclosing an associated tubejoint to be x-rayed and said fore and aft side of said container bottompart each provided with a substantially horizontally disposedcrosssectionally downwardly slanted slot for preventing primaryradiation leakage and for feeding associated x-ray film through saidcontainer internally along said bottom part underneath said joint, and

e. locking and safety switching means mounted between said upper andsaid bottom part for assuring completely locked-in and envelopedradiation shielded relationship of said tube joint in said container.

7. A portable x-ray apparatus shielded adapting device for x-radiographyof tube joints or the like as claimed in claim 6 wherein said collimatorand said container x-ray absorbent material is provided as an internallymounted layer of radiation shielding material.

8. A portable x-ray apparatus shielded adapting device for x-radiographyof tube joints or the like as claimed in claim 7 wherein said upper partand said bottom part adjacent edges being in touching relationship withone another when said container is in closed condition have anoverlapping relationship.

9. A portable x-ray apparatus shielding adapting device forx-radiography of tube joints or the like as claimed in claim 8 whereinsaid adapting device is provided with additional insert means having amale and a female part for insertion into said upper and bottom partrespectively and wherein said parts together form a circular aperture atsaid right and said left container side of a smaller diameter than saidcontainer apertures so that associated tube joints of smaller tubediameters can belcompletely enclosed in said container.

1. A shielded x-ray adapting device for portable x-ray apparatus,comprising: a. a collimator made of a x-ray radiation absorbent materialfor providing external x-ray shielding, having a first and a second endportion and mounted by said first end portion about said xray apparatusoutput tube; b. a container, made of a x-ray radiation absorbentmaterial for providing external x-ray shielding, pivotally mounted, inoverlapping fashion, about said second end portion; c. said containerprovided with an upper part and a hingedly connected bottom part; d.said upper part and said bottom part each provided with a substantiallyvertically disposed left and right side, and each side provided with aconcave edge portion and whereby said concave edge portions of saidupper and said bottom parts align with one another when said containeris in a closed condition so that said aligned concave edge portions format said container left and right an aperture complementing an associatedto be x-rayed object periphery, and e. said bottom part having a foreand aft side each provided with a slot for feeding through an associatedx-ray film underneath said object.
 2. A shielded x-ray adapting deviceas claimed in claim 1 wherein said collimator second end is providedwith a flange projecting in said upper part of said container in adirection substantially perpendicular to said collimator axis so thatassociated x-rays are prevented exit through said second end pivotallymounted connection with said container.
 3. A shielded x-ray adaptingdevice as claimed in claim 2 wherein said upper part and said bottompart adjacent located edges are of a complementary step-in configurationso that x-ray radiation is prevented between said upper and said bottompart of said container when in said closed condition.
 4. A shieldedx-ray adapting device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said bottom partfore and aft side slots are each cross-sectionally slanted downwards tosaid container inside.
 5. A shielded x-ray adapting device as claimed inclaim 4 having locking means mounted between said upper and said bottompart of said container and electrical switching means for assuringcompletely locked enclosure of said associated object so that saidswitching means upon said completely locked enclosure allows associatedinput power source connection to the x-ray tube.
 6. A portable x-rayapparatus shielded adapting device for encapsulated x-radiography oftube joints or the like permitting operation in close proximity of theoperator, comprising; a. a collimator, constructed of x-ray shieldingmaterial, having a first and second end and mounted with said first endabout said x-ray tube in a radiation shielding relationship; b. saidsecond end having an integrally connected flange; c. a container,constructed of x-ray shielding material, pivotally mounted about saidsecond end and flange for assuring a movable and radiation shieldingrelationship; d. said container having a substantially rectangularconfiguration disposed perpendicularly to said collimator and providedwith an upper part and a hingedly attached bottom part each having aright and left side and a fore and an aft side, said right side and saidleft side of said upper and said bottom part provided with a half circleshaped concave edge portion located in opposed alignment with oneanother so that said container left and right side is provided with acircular hole when in closed condition for completely enclosing anassociated tube joint to be x-rayed and said fore and aft side of saidcontainer bottom part each provided with a substantially horizontallydisposed cross-sectionally downwardly slanted slot for preventingprimary radiation leakage and for feeding associated x-ray film throughsaid container internally along said bottom part underneath said joint,and e. locking and safety switching means mounted between said upper andsaid bottOm part for assuring completely locked-in and envelopedradiation shielded relationship of said tube joint in said container. 7.A portable x-ray apparatus shielded adapting device for x-radiography oftube joints or the like as claimed in claim 6 wherein said collimatorand said container x-ray absorbent material is provided as an internallymounted layer of radiation shielding material.
 8. A portable x-rayapparatus shielded adapting device for x-radiography of tube joints orthe like as claimed in claim 7 wherein said upper part and said bottompart adjacent edges being in touching relationship with one another whensaid container is in closed condition have an overlapping relationship.9. A portable x-ray apparatus shielding adapting device forx-radiography of tube joints or the like as claimed in claim 8 whereinsaid adapting device is provided with additional insert means having amale and a female part for insertion into said upper and bottom partrespectively and wherein said parts together form a circular aperture atsaid right and said left container side of a smaller diameter than saidcontainer apertures so that associated tube joints of smaller tubediameters can be completely enclosed in said container.